(April 3, 2024) Andrea Aaron grew up listening to the classic soul and R&B music found in her mother’s collection and the 90s R&B and hip-hop played by her brother. Music fans listening to her new album, Iris, will hear influences from both musical time periods. However, the neo-soul influences from the late 1990s and early 2000s are the clearest.
Just how rooted is “Love Guru,” the new single from Iris, in the neo-soul era? Well, Aaron name checks Erykah Badu in the tune’s opening line. The thing is that neo-soul is a sub-genre that draws on the conscious lyricism and blues-infused arrangements of 1960s and 70s soul, and merges them with some of the production techniques heard in contemporary R&B and hip-hop.
(April 3, 2024) Andrea Aaron grew up listening to the classic soul and R&B music found in her mother’s collection and the 90s R&B and hip-hop played by her brother. Music fans listening to her new album, Iris, will hear influences from both musical time periods. However, the neo-soul influences from the late 1990s and early 2000s are the clearest.
Just how rooted is “Love Guru,” the new single from Iris, in the neo-soul era? Well, Aaron name checks Erykah Badu in the tune’s opening line. The thing is that neo-soul is a sub-genre that draws on the conscious lyricism and blues-infused arrangements of 1960s and 70s soul, and merges them with some of the production techniques heard in contemporary R&B and hip-hop.
“Love Guru” takes a contemplative turn through the song’s intimate arrangement. Aaron uses that arrangement to find a way to balance the realization of the importance of self-acceptance and love with the desire for an intimate connection with someone else.
Anyone of has a soft spot in their heart for the neo-soul era will like what they hear on Iris. Check out “Love Guru,” Andrea Aaron’s latest from that album here.
By Howard Dukes
Andrea Aaron - "Love Guru"